Red Wings looking for good things from their youngsters

DETROIT - It's all about completing the process when you're in the Detroit Red Wings organization.

Martin Frk appears to be way ahead of the curve.

Frk had two goals and two assists in a scrimmage Friday at the Wings' developmental camp in Traverse City.

"It's a process," Wings general manager Ken Holland said after the scrimmage. "It's a long process. Some of the players we wanted to play good did play good, (Anthony) Mantha, (Xavier) Ouelett, (Ryan) Sproul and Frk. Then there's other guys we didn't think are as far as long. But in another year or two, they might be having good scrimmages."

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Frk flourished this season with the Halifax Moosehead, playing on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, recording 35 goals and 49 assists in 56 games. He also finished a plus-31, after back-to-back seasons ending with a minus.

MacKinnon was the first player taken in this year's draft, while Drouin was the third overall pick.

"You look at the development of (Gustav) Nyquist and the development of (Joakim) Andersson," Holland said. "These players have to do the same things. They have to come through junior, college and Europe. They've got to get in the American Hockey League and then start all over again. They do it in the American Hockey League then they come up and they have to do it all over again."

Nyquist and Andersson are just a few examples another one his Jimmy Howard.

"The process to get Jimmy Howard to the National Hockey League, we went through the same process 10 years ago," Holland said. "He used to be at these tournaments and then he went to Grand Rapids. He was in Grand Rapids four years. He was in Grand Rapids so long a lot of people didn't think he was any good. I think he's one of the seven, eight best goalies in the game.

"I know how hard it is to pay in the National Hockey League and how much work and where you've got to get these players," Holland added. "A lot of these players are coming along in a nice progression. We need more progression. Part of it is patience, part of it is maturity and part of it is going to next level and performing at the next level."

Frk, 19, was the Wings' first pick in the 2012 draft, 49th overall in the second round.

He was expected to be a first-round pick in 2011, but a concussion caused him to miss four months and his stock plummeted.

"Frk is really crafty," Chris Chelios said. "Great with the puck, can skate, finishes. Mantha, he's a kid that got drafted pretty high. They've got great hands and skill. Those key guys, our first two picks, I was impressed by them."

Frk recently signed a three-year contract with the Wings and is expected to play in Grand Rapids this season.

"I know I have to get in better shape," Frk said. "I got on the ice and I was tired right away. I'm not as far (along) as I should be. I know I was tired after the first half. You have to work in the summer more and get better. I can feel my legs don't go that fast. When we do something long, I get tired right away."

Brunner heading to Devils; Cleary still out there

Damien Brunner looks like he may be signing with the New Jersey Devils, according to Nicola Berger of the Swiss newspaper Neue Luzerner Zeitung.

This looks like a good fit since the Devils learned on Thursday of Ilya Kovalchuk's retirement.

Brunner, 27, priced himself out of returning to the Wings by seeking a contract of $3.5 million a season.

The Wings made him two- and three-year offers for what they felt his value after one season, but they were rejected.

He had his ups and downs last season, but finished with 12 goals and 14 assists in his first season in the league.

Brunner also had five goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Daniel Cleary remains out there and could still be back with the Wings, but only if they're able to clear salary-cap space before signing him.

"I don't know that it's done," Holland said. "We'd love to have him on the team. We think he's a versatile player. I made him an offer prior to free agency. He didn't think it was enough."

Teams can go 10-percent over the salary cap during the offseason, but that's something Detroit appears doesn't want to do.

"If we wake up in the next two days and he's signed (by another team), I'd certainly understand," Holland said. "If he stays out there and he's available and we're able to do some things, then we might have something for him."

Nyquist, Andersson won't be leaving

If any NHL team wants to extend an offer sheet to either Nyquist or Andersson they go, but the Wings are going to match it.

"If a team puts in an offer sheet, we'll match," Holland said.

Nyquist and Andersson are both restricted free agents and talks have yet to begin on new deals, but will take place sometime in the near future.

Both played pivotal roles this postseason that saw the Wings force a Game 7 with the Stanley Cup champ Chicago Blackhawks. Nyquist had two goals and three assists, while Andersson had a goal and four assists.